Give to the near of kin his due, and also to the needy and the wayfarers. Do not squander your wealth wastefully; for those who squander wastefully are Satan’s brothers, and Satan is ever ungrateful to his Lord. And when you must turn away from them – from the destitute, the near of kin, the needy, and the wayfarers – in pursuit of God’s mercy which you expect to receive, then speak to them kindly.
(Al-Qur’ān – 17:26-28)
Man should not consider his wealth to be extremely meant for himself. Instead, after moderately meeting his own needs he should spend it on his relatives, neighbours, and other human beings who are in need of it. Man’s social life should also be permeated with a spirit of sympathy and recognition of the rights of others and a spirit of mutual cooperation. Relatives should be especially helpful towards each other. The ‘haves’ should extend to the ‘have-nots’ whatever they may be in a position to provide. If a traveller arrives in a city, town or village, he should find himself in the midst of hospitable people.
If a person helps others, he should do so with a feeling that he is merely discharging the obligations he owes them rather than burdening them with a debt of gratitude. And whenever a person is unable to be of any service to someone who is in need of it, he should seek the latter’s indulgence at his inability to do so, and should pray to God to bless him with the means that will enable him to serve others.